Rogue
3. Gold Hill Boat Ramp to Grants Pass (up to 18.3 miles)
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 18.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 8 fpm |
| Gauge | Rogue River at Grants Pass, or |
| Flow Rate as of 47 minutes | 2220 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 1, 2024 |
Projects
The Rogue River was among the nation’s original Wild and Scenic Rivers designated in 1968. Recreational opportunities abound from the Lost Creek Reservoir to the Pacific Ocean. Several fun day trips are available downstream of Lost Creek Reservoir which now flows freely with the removal of 3 dams: Gold [...]Read More
River Description
This reach runs from the town of Gold Hill to Grants Pass with I-5 paralleling the river on the north side and Hwy. 99 paralleling the river on the south side. One barrier to navigation is Savage Rapids dam set to be removed to improve fish passage (this dam is visible from river left at Hwy. 99 mile 5.5 east of Grants Pass).
Logistics:
Put-in at Gold Hill Boat Ramp is accessible from I-5 exit 40. Cross the Rogue River and enter the town of Gold Hill. Take Highway 234 north out of town. The boat ramp is located less than a mile out of town on river right at Gold Rogue Sports Park at Highway 234 mile 3.0.
River mile 120.2, elevation 1056'.
Take-out at Baker Park Boat Ramp in Grants Pass on river left downstream of the Highway 199 Bridge is accessible from I-5 exit 55. Follow Highway 199 from I-5 down to the river.
River mile 101.9, elevation 896'.
Alternate access points are available to make runs of various shorter length (or combine with upstream runs for greater length).
River Features
Rogue Gold Sports Park Put-In
Put in at the park on river right.
apparent rapids #1
USGS river mile 120.0.
apparent rapids #2
USGS river mile 119.7
apparent rapids #3
USGS river mile 118.6.
possible rapids
USGS river mile 116.8
possible minor rapids #1
USGS river mile 115.7
apparent rapids #4
USGS river mile 114.4.
possible minor rapids #2
River mile 113.2.
John Fleming Rest Area Access
Access on river left under the bridge.
Savage Rapids - Former Dam Site
The dam was removed in 2009 revealing some additional riffles, rips, and rapids in the (nearly six mile) stretch of no 'marked' rapids on the topo maps. USGS river mile 107.3.
Pierce Riffle
USGS river mile 106.6
apparent rapids #5
USGS river mile 105.6.
apparent rapids #6
USGS river mile 105.2.
possible minor rapids #4
USGS river mile 105.0.
apparent rapids #7
USGS river mile 104.2
possible minor rapids #5
USGS river mile 103.5.
Baker Park Take-Out
This access is on river left downstream of the Highway 199 Bridge in Grants Pass. Located at USGS River Mile 101.9. Parking (including dedicated trailer parking) and toilet facilities are available in Baker Park.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportSavage Rapids Dam. Photo by Roger Funk 5/1/10
Savage Rapids Dam. Photo by Roger Funk 5/1/10
Spring 2009 photos of the Rogue River at the Savage Rapids dam site.
Pump installation nearing completion in anticipation of Savage Rapids Dam removal.
Construction of new water intake underway (to the left) in preparation for removal of Savage Rapids Dam (to the right).
Savage Rapids Dam getting ready for removal.
Savage Rapids Dam, a barrier to navigation on
this stretch, is an irrigation dam on the Rogue
River scheduled for removal. It is located at river
mile 107, approximately 5 miles upstream of
Grants Pass. The fish screens and ladder do not
meet current criteria for fish passage and the
Bureau of Reclalmation determined that it would
be cheaper to remove the dam and replace it with
pumps.